In response to the COVID 19 crisis, the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) turned over 30 heads of upgraded heifer or female cows to farmers in three municipalities of Negros Oriental.
Dr. Voltaire Zeam Amper, DA7 Livestock Coordinator said that the animals are part of the Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for Covid-19 Response under the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra sa COVID-19 Bayanihan I.
This project, he said ensures that during this pandemic, farmers will be able to produce their own food and have the opportunity to raise additional income for their family.
“Qualified beneficiaries of these animals for dispersal are farmer associations and members who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA),” Amper said.
Sarah Perocho, the DA7’s Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (DA7 APCO) in the province said that the heifers were delivered and distributed to the Fatima Farmer Association of Pamplona, Farm Family Association of Mabinay and Kapunungang Makugihong Mag-uuma of Guihulngan City.
“We really tried our best to deliver all these animals to the farmers as they are awaiting for these. Also, we consider the health of the animals,” Perocho said.
Municipal Agriulturist Leilanie Malacapay of Mabinay said that their farmer-beneficiaries of the project expressed their gratitude to DA for this livelihood project they received.
“Daku kaayo ilang pasalamat sa DA ilabi na kay Secretary Wiliam Dar nga ang ilang association usa sa napiling benepisaryo sa maong mga baka. Hinaot nga magpadayon ang ilang pagsuporta sa mga mag-uuma,” Malacapay said.
(They are grateful to DA especially to Secretary William Dar for selecting their association as one of the beneficiaries of the heifer cows. We hope that they will continue supporting the farmers.)
Meanwhile, Amper also said that in Bohol, 30 heads of heifer were already delivered to farmers and awaiting for the delivery of another 24 heads of uppgraded buffalos. For Siquijor, 19 heads heifer were also distributed,” Amper said. # # #(DA-RFO VII, RAFIS)
